News~Updates

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." ~ Anne Frank

Each day brings new opportunities for personal growth, renewal, and transformation to millions of Americans who have chosen to forge a path toward recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol. While addiction can destroy self confidence, family ties, and friendships, recovery can restore the promise of a brighter tomorrow. During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we express support for those living healthy and productive lives in long term recovery, we applaud those working to help struggling Americans break the cycle of abuse, and we encourage those in need to seek help.

This year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!," calls us to an urgent mission to save lives from the hazards of addiction. As we make quality and affordable health care more accessible to all Americans, we also resolve to build a healthier Nation by increasing access to treatment and recovery programs in our health care system. To help achieve this goal, the Affordable Care Act supports services available to address addiction. Together, we can reduce the harmful consequences of untreated addiction, such as violence, failure in school, job loss, child abuse, crimes, and death. I encourage all Americans to visit RecoveryMonth.gov for more resources and information.

The journey to recovery requires great fortitude and a supportive network. As we celebrate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we also express our appreciation for the family members, mutual aid groups, peer support programs, health professionals, and community leaders that provide compassion, care, and hope. Across America, we must spread the word that substance abuse is preventable, that addiction is treatable, and that recovery is possible.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2010 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, and to celebrate the lives freed from addiction to illicit drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. ~ Unknown

What is Recovery Month?Recovery Month is an annual observance that takes place during the month of September.

The Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. The observance also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective substance abuse treatment for those in need. Each year a new theme, or emphasis, is selected for the observance.

Recovery Monthprovides a platform to celebrate people in recovery and those who serve them. Each September, thousands of treatment programs around the country celebrate their successes and share them with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues in an effort to educate the public about treatment, how it works, for whom, and why. Substance abuse treatment providers have made significant accomplishments, having transformed the lives of untold thousands of Americans. These successes often go unnoticed by the broader population; therefore, Recovery Month provides a vehicle to celebrate these successes.

Recovery Month also serves to educate the public on substance abuse as a national health crisis, that addiction is a treatable disease, and that recovery is possible. Recovery Month highlights the benefits of treatment for not only the affected individual, but for their family, friends, workplace, and society as a whole. Educating the public reduces the stigma associated with addiction and treatment. Accurate knowledge of the disease helps people to understand the importance of supporting treatment programs, those who work within the treatment field, and those in need of treatment. You can participate in Recovery Month by attending an event in your area. There are hundreds of events being held around the country.

To find out about Recovery Month Events in your area use the recovery event locator below.

The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins. ~Bob Moawad

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless. ~Mother Teresa

Suboxone News

Richmond, VA

~Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announces that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its New Drug Application (NDA) to manufacture and market Suboxone® sublingual film. Suboxone® sublingual film has been developed through an exclusive agreement with MonoSol Rx, utilising its proprietary PharmFilm® technology, to deliver the opioid dependence treatment Suboxone® in a fast-dissolving sublingual film.

Suboxone® sublingual film is indicated for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence and should be used as part of a complete treatment plan to include counselling and psychosocial support. Prescription use of this product is limited to physicians certified under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act, 2000.

Suboxone® sublingual film will be available from early October 2010 to patients in the same doses as currently offered by Suboxone® (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual tablets C-III. A Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program is being implemented as part of the FDA requirements to ensure that the benefits of treatment with Suboxone® sublingual film outweigh the potential risks, particularly risks of accidental overdose, misuse and abuse.

Commenting on the FDA’s approval, Shaun Thaxter, President of Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc. said: “The development of Suboxone® sublingual film through our exclusive agreement with MonoSol Rx reinforces our commitment to our opioid dependence therapy franchise and to its development. During clinical studies, Suboxone® sublingual film was shown to be faster dissolving than Suboxone® sublingual tablets. Because of the faster dissolution and the taste profile, patients preferred the film. Each individual dose of Suboxone® sublingual film will come in a child-resistant pouch. More information can be found athttp://www.rb.com/FDA-Approval-for-Suboxone-Sublingual-FilmC-III

This new Suboxone film should be available in pharmacies October 2010. According to the information that I have read online through different resources, the film will be an easier more convenient way to take Suboxone. One of the big complaints about Suboxone is the length of time that it takes for the actual tablet to dissolve. This new film however is supposed to dissolve at a quicker rate and the taste is supposed to also be an improvement over the tablet.

NATIONAL TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE

Saturday, September 25, 2010

On September 25, 2010, the DEA will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation's medicine cabinets. Collection activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at sites established throughout the country. The National Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public safety.

This one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse.

The program is anonymous.

Prescriptions and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted.

Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted.

Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.

To find a collection site near you click the button below. Check back often. More sites added everyday.

He who requires urging to do a noble act will never accomplish it.~Kahlil Gibran

Discard old thoughts today and feelings that stand in the way of your personal growth. Believe that your future is filled with hope, happiness and optimism.~Unknown

Please visit our Suboxone Forum; The Light At The End of The Tunnel for weekly news updates, support and great conversation. You will be more than welcome, our doors are always open.

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